Understanding the New Jersey Medical Marijuana Program and Laws

New Jersey passed the Compassionate Medical Marijuana Act which enables qualified patients to use medical marijuana to alleviate suffering from approved debilitating medical conditions. The New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services continually researches and is authorized to add any debilitating condition to the “approved list” as they see fit. Patients are encouraged to consult with their state registered Medical Marijuana physician to determine if their debilitating condition is included on the state approved list.

The Medical Marijuana Program (MMP) is accessible NOW to qualifying patients.

Dr. Anthony Anzalone, of New Jersey Medical Marijuana Doctors located at 201 Route 17 North 11th Floor, Rutherford, New Jersey 07070, (855) 768-3621, is available by appointment to evaluate your debilitating medical condition and if you meet the state’s criteria will assist you in the registration process.

How Does the Medical Marijuana Program Work?

You must be a resident of New Jersey.

You must go to a state registered Medical Marijuana Program physician, such as Dr. Anthony Anzalone, who will complete a comprehensive medical history and physical examination, including a review of your medical records maintained by other treating doctors. The MMP physician must determine that previous conventional treatment of your debilitating condition was not effective in alleviating your suffering and that you would benefit from participating in New Jersey’s Medical Marijuana Program.

If you are eligible your state registered Medical Marijuana Program physician will begin the online registration process and provide you with your Patient Reference Number. This number becomes your unique number and you will use it for the duration of your eligibility in the NJ Medical Marijuana Program. When Dr. Anthony Anzalone is your selected Medical Marijuana Program physician he will assist you by answering all your questions and guiding you through your portion of the registration process insuring your registration is completed properly and in a timely manner.

Once approved you will be registered in the State of New Jersey’s database and issued a registration card validating your eligibility and participation in the NJ Medical Marijuana Program (this card is non transferable and only can be used in the State of New Jersey). Your registration card will be valid for up to 2 years.

There is a state fee for patients and caregivers to register in the NJ Medical Marijuana Program. The fee is $200.00 each. If the patient or caregiver qualify for the state and federal assistance programs listed below then their fee will be $20.00 each.

NJ Medicaid program

Recipient of current Food Stamps Benefits

Recipient of current NJ temporary disability insurance benefits

Supplemental Security Income Benefits (SSI)

Social Security Disability Benefits (SSD)

Your Medical Marijuana Program physician determines the proper dosage of medical marijuana/ cannabis you are allowed to use. Your physician will give you written instructions to be presented to an Alternative Treatment Center. Medical marijuana is packaged in 1/8 and ¼ ounce denominations. The maximum amount allowed by law is 2 ounces in a 30 day period.

You can then go to an Alternative Treatment Center (ATC) to obtain your cannabis. Your certification will be valid for 30, 60 or 90 days and upon expiration you must go to your Medical Marijuana Program registered physician to re-assess your debilitating condition and determine whether you need to continue your use of medical marijuana for an additional 30, 60 or 90 days.

An on-going bona fide relationship with your Medical Marijuana Program registered physician is required. Dr. Anthony Anzalone (855-768-3621) is willing and available to provide you with on-going professional medical services to insure that your eligible participation in the Medical Marijuana Program is not interrupted.

What Debilitating Medical Conditions Are Presently Approved By The Program?

There are many debilitating conditions that are presently included. Your registered Medical Marijuana Program physician through his/her consultation and evaluation of your condition can advise you if your debilitating condition is approved by the Department of Health and Senior Services. Below is a list of current approved conditions. Please remember this list will continue to grow as the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services research and review additional debilitating conditions. Dr. Anthony Anzalone (855-768-3621) keeps current on all changes and additions. Do not hesitate to select him as your state registered Medical Marijuana Program physician.

Terminal illness, if the MMP physician had determined a prognosis of less than 12 months of life

Palliative care

Any other medical condition or its treatment that is approved by the Department of Health and Senior Services

If you do not see your debilitating condition on the above list it is important that you consult with an approved, registered Medical Marijuana Program physician, such as Dr. Anthony Anzalone of http://www.DrMarijuanaNJ.com, so that your condition can be professionally evaluated to determine if it is an eligible debilitating condition.

Dr. Anzalone is available for professional medical consultations and evaluations and will utilize his expert medical knowledge to establish if your condition fits into the NJ Medical Marijuana Program approved list.

Do I Need A Primary Caregiver?

If you are a qualified patient under the age of 18 you would designate a parent/guardian as a legal guardian. Your legal guardian does not have to pay a state registration fee however, you as the eligible patient will still be required to pay the state registration fee (either $200.00 or the reduced fee of $20.00 if you are presently enrolled in a state or federal assistance program).

If you the qualified patient are too ill to travel and you need someone to pick up your medical marijuana from the Alternative Treatment Center you can designate a primary caregiver who must register with the New Jersey Medical Marijuana Program. They must complete all required application information and fingerprint and background checks and will need to be approved by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services. Your primary caregiver is required to pay the state registration fee (either $200.00 or the reduced fee of $20.00 if you or they are presently enrolled in a state or federal assistance program).

If you want to change your primary caregiver before your listed expiration date (remember registration is good for 2 years) your new caregiver must be approved and pay the appropriate state fee (either $200.00 or the reduced fee of $20.00 if you or they are presently enrolled in a state or federal assistance program).

What Happens After My 2 Year Registration Has Expired?

Because you are in an on-going bona fide relationship with your Medical Marijuana Program registered physician he/she will be consistently monitoring your debilitating condition and if you are still eligible he/she will initiating the re-registration process to guard against a lapse in coverage.

As your selected Medical Marijuana Program registered physician Dr. Anthony Anzalone(855-768-3621) will keep accurate records and notify you when it is time for you to be re-evaluated for possible renewal.

Who Pays For My Medical Marijuana?

You do, at the present time,medical marijuana is not covered under Medicaid, or any other health care plans.

Are There Any Restrictions Regarding Use of Medical Marijuana?

YES

You cannot operate, navigate or be in control of any vehicle, aircraft, railroad train, or stationary heavy equipment vessel while under the influence of medical marijuana.

You cannot smoke medical marijuana on a school bus or any form of public transportation; in a private vehicle unless the vehicle is not in operation

You cannot smoke medical marijuana on any school grounds, in any correctional facility, at any public park or beach, or at any recreation center

You must adhere to all the provisions of the Smoke Free Air Act

You cannot purchase and use marijuana from any other source except New Jersey state approved Alternative Treatment Centers

You cannot grow or cultivate your own cannabis

You cannot transport or use your medical marijuana across state lines

If I Don’t Want To Smoke Medical Marijuana Are There Any Other Forms of Marijuana I Can Use?

You and your Medical Marijuana Program registered physician will discuss alternatives available to you through New Jersey’s Medical Marijuana Program. You will have to find an Alternative Treatment Center (ATC) that provides alternative options such as a lozenge or topical formulation (as prescribed by your Medical Marijuana Program physician). The Alternative Treatment Centers will not provide food products containing marijuana.

Can I Be Arrested If I Test Positive For Drugs or Have It In My Possession?

Any qualifying patient, primary caregiver, alternative treatment center, physician or any other person acting in accordance with the provisions of act N.J.S.2C:35-18 shall not be subject to any civil or administrative penalty, or denied any right or privilege, including, but not limited to, civil penalty or disciplinary action by a professional licensing board, related to the medical use of marijuana as authorized under this act.

So, in plain and simple words: If you are using the medical marijuana the way the MMP tells you, you are not doing anything illegal with it then you and your primary caregiver/legal guardian are protected under the law.

Do You Have Any Other Questions?

Dr. Anthony Anzalone of New Jersey Medical Marijuana Doctors 201 Route 17 North 11th Floor, Rutherford, New Jersey 07070, (855) 768-3621 is a registered and state approved Medical Marijuana Program physician. During your scheduled consultation and professional evaluation he will take the time to answer any questions about the Medical Marijuana Program. Dr. Anzalone has a wide-range of office hours which allows him to serve your needs in a time efficient manner.

If you or someone you know suffers from a debilitating medical condition Don’t Delay — call Dr. Anthony Anzalone at (855) 768-3621 to determine eligibility for the New Jersey Medical Marijuana Program.

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Disclaimer: If the person seeking a recommendation for medicinal marijuana desires a diagnosis and/or treatment for any of their medical conditions, they must consult their current physician. Under no circumstances, should any suggestions be taken as a diagnosis, treatment, cure or direction against their current treating physician.